Storrs 2007 Chardonnay (Santa Cruz Mountains) Fig, peach, and ripe, velvet-textured apple. Very structured, with a long finish. Theres a little zing of alcohol and bit of oak, but this is the most balanced chardonnay Ive yet tasted from Storrs, who often seems to craft much thicker versions of this variety. (9/08)
Storrs 2006 Chardonnay Christie (Santa Cruz Mountains) Honeyed peach candy and thick butterscotch, long and huge. A wine of vivid neon. Huge. Let me say that again: HUGE. There are some nods to balance, but this is a stew rather than a broth; those who prefer that sort of texture will love it, others will most definitely not. Stylistic issues aside, its a very impressive wine. Personally, I could drink about a thimbleful of it. (9/08)
Storrs 2006 Pinot Noir (Santa Cruz Mountains) Strawberry, red cherry, and plenty of heat (its 15.2% alcohol, which may theoretically be supportable in a much better-endowed pinot, but just doesnt work here; excess heat has been a problem with many of the Storrs pinot noirs). Theres some crispness that makes an attempt at lightening, but overall the wines just too hot to enjoy. (9/08)
Storrs 2005 Two Creek (Santa Clara County) Grenache, syrah, and grand noir, 14.4%. Smoke liqueur and red licorice with apple rind and a significant haze of heat. Eh. (9/08)
Storrs 2005 Zinfandel Rusty Ridge (Santa Clara County) 15.2%. Plum, heather, lavender, plus the twists and tangles of wild vines. Chewy, with good acidity. Balanced. The finish is supple. Quite good. (9/08)
Storrs 2001 BXR (San Francisco Bay) Plum soup, dark chocolate, and green tannin. Theres good length and palate presence, but the wines too thick for its own good, and then theres that irritating underripe shade to the structure. I have never cared for this wine, in any vintage. (9/08)
Storrs 2006 Gewrztraminer Viento (Monterey) Lychee soap, crystalline pear, honeydew melon, and plenty of acidity with just an edge of skin bitterness. Turns more floral as it lingers. Really nice. Balanced, with both tension and length. A return to the gewrztraminers I used to like so much from this producer, after a few weaker efforts. (9/08)
Storrs is a winery I visit anytime Im in the area, and theres always something good. The problem is that its rarely the same wine as it was the last time. Stylistically, I think that theyve let alcohol levels get a little bit away from them; its one thing in zinfandel, a very different thing in a pinot noir or chardonnay.